Whirlpool Dryer GEW9878JQ1 -- Power doesn't stay on when start switch pressed and released

[borisgoodenough]

What the title says. Dryer starts up when power switch is pressed, but stops when it's released. I've already replaced the switch; problem still exists. My guess is that there's a power relay that should be latching but isn't, and needs replacement.

Does that sound right? If so, where's it located and how hard is it to get at? Or if that sounds wrong, what else could it be?

TIA.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

This is one of the Even-Heat Control models and it has two identical relays in the control console area, (one is the heater relay and the other is the motor relay).

Most likely the motor relay is bad (hopefully).  If the relay isn't bad then most likely the Even-Heat Control Board may have failed.

If I remember correctly the relay coils should receive 48 Vdc - if you don't have a meter then you could just swap the two relays and give it a try.  If it runs when you swap relays but then won't heat then you need a new relay.

There's a good chance there is a detailed tech sheet on how to put into diagnostic mode and has wiring diagram and control board test inside the control console area.

Here is the relay that has a very high probability of being the problem, (two of them - one heat and one motor).

Part number: WP8566493

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WP8566493

[borisgoodenough]

Thanks, Willie!  Tech sheet is inside the console, so I'll locate the relays and put a meter on them.

[borisgoodenough]

Dryer is fixed, wife is happy. The motor relay was the problem, as Willie suggested. But need to update the repair for future thread viewers.

The dryer has three relays, but the motor relay isn't the one linked above. This one is (part WP3405281):

https://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-power-relay-48vdc-wp3405281-ap6008555.html

The identical relay is also used in the heater circuit, and is available elsewhere. The motor relay is the one closest to the push-to-start switch on the back of the console, with two pink and two blue wires. Total repair time is about 30 minutes.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Sorry about linking to the wrong part - I didn't even notice this had three relays, (I only every seen them with two relays both being the same, one for the motor and the other for heat - ref#23 somehow I saw the ref#37 relay that looked the same as #23 in the parts breakdown pictures and looked at part number for that one).

[Bluebayou]

On 6/6/2022 at 3:49 PM, borisgoodenough said:

Dryer is fixed, wife is happy. The motor relay was the problem, as Willie suggested. But need to update the repair for future thread viewers.

The dryer has three relays, but the motor relay isn't the one linked above. This one is (part WP3405281):

https://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-power-relay-48vdc-wp3405281-ap6008555.html

The identical relay is also used in the heater circuit, and is available elsewhere. The motor relay is the one closest to the push-to-start switch on the back of the console, with two pink and two blue wires. Total repair time is about 30 minutes.

Man, thanks for updating what you found.  It really helps out people in the future.